First Build, DF 35" 'Hydrostream'

[Boaterguy]

you want to bind your RX before you plug in your ESC, do it with a separate BEC (4AA's works) without the ESC plugged in.
Try plugging in the battery on the ESC with the TX at full throttle, when you get a series of beeps, move it down to zero throttle and unplug. then plug in normally.

[CharlieBucket]

I am very new to this...so bare with me. I want to plug in a seperate power source to the reciever (the Aux port I assume) and bind it. Once that's complete I can plug it into the ESC (with the radio pegged @ fully throttle) and I'll hear a series of beaps? I followed the bind process Spektrum had and it seemed to work. Light on the reciever goes from a flashing green light to a solid one.

[Make-a-Wake]

I attached that accidentally...still getting used to the new format of the forum. That was a pic I took off the forum as a guide to make my connectors. I have 6.5mm Castle connectors all around other than the center connectors of that connector. That one is an 8mm. I think the wires on the ECS are 8 & 10 gauge...a 5.5 Castle was too small.

Those wires have writing on them, looks like 12AWG from what i can tell, compared to the batt leads which are most likely 8g, they look painfully thin............just saying that because you are gonna be pulling 120 amps thru them, watch the heat.

[CharlieBucket]

Well, Ive been trying to get this ESC programmed, or any sort of power out of it and it hasn't done a thing. No beaping, burping or anything. The BEC lights up and the servo works, but nothing else. Here is how I have it wired...any ideas?

[CharlieBucket]

Just mounted the servo, battery trays and motor tonight even though I still dont have this ESC thing straightened out.2011-06-30_20-47-33_37.jpg2011-06-30_20-47-40_672.jpg

[FastVee]

what radio you use? -is the monster aircraft esc? -some need pistick(spelling?) to work on pistol grip radios. Try powering it up with throttle fully in reverse .That works some times with air esc´s with pistol radios, the esc thinks that the reverse is neutral position on some esc´s/radios. If it works, you can just use a rubber band or something to keep the trigger at the reverse(fully up) position so no need to hold it on there your self.

oh, and very nice build going on there!
Pate

[CharlieBucket]

DX3C DSM 3-Channel Surface Radio
I think it is an aircraft ESC. The guy I bought it from told me to disable the red wire from the ESC, but I havne't done that yet. Had a little trouble last night with some epoxy on the transom. A bit flowed through a space I didn't notice between the stuffing tube and the transom...and into the strut. And I made the mistake of leaving the flex drive in, so now I have a bit of a mess on my hands. I guess that's what I get for trying to get things finished before the holiday weekend. I'm trying to not get discouraged, but this morning I want to light myself on fire. So, this afternoon I'm going to try and take the strut off and break things free. Hopefully I can salvage some parts.

[FastVee]

sorry to hear that you had problems, I burned my boat twice this summer so far so I know that some times things just happen ...

I have that same radio, but not that esc . I still think it most likely wont work with pistol radio, but try start it up while pushing the trigger forward. If it helps, OSE sells the pistix so you can use your radio.

Heat the epoxy(or strut) with butane torch or soldering iron and spin the flex and it should let go nicely. Then you can drill the strut clean with correct size bit.

And if the esc doesn´t have bec then there is no need to remove that red wire. Try it like I wrote in my earlier post ,but first check that it doesnot have bec built in.


Pate

[CharlieBucket]

Ha! Yeah, I feel like I've spent more time working on these things then actually having them in the water. My SV is as reliable as a clock...knock on wood, no major issues with that boat.
Thanks for the advice. I'll try that out this weekend...and I know for sure the ESC doesn't have a built in BEC. It's written directly on top of the ESC. I picked up a T180 in case I can't get this thing to work at all.
I'll try it like you had posted earlier and let you know. Thank you for the guidance...I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

[FastVee]

Glad if I can help.

I like to work with boats more then cars and learn more of them each day.these take way more work then cars but it is so nice to watch something you built your self going on the water.

Oh, and dont heat the cable too much with the torch or the propshaft can be detached from the flex(glue/solder melts) .


Pate

[CharlieBucket]

Well, I ended up picking up a T-180. I a little more than frustrated with 1.) Trying to get the thing to work, and 2.) trying to find room under the hood for it. I wired in the new ESC tonight and the thing woke right up. Hopefully I can put her in the water tomorrow. Need to balance and sharpen a prop, probably going to be the X445 uless someone says to go with the X450. A few more things and I should be off and running.
Anyone looking for a not so used Turnigy Monster 2000, 200 amp with a Sport BEC and programming card, hit me up...haven't posted anything as of yet, but will be soon.
More to come soon,

[Make-a-Wake]

If you are running 5s2p with the T180 then you can run an x450

[CharlieBucket]

First run went great! No video, but maybe tonight. I was too nervous to record anything since I didn't want evidence if I completely screwed something up. The X450 prop is a monster on that boat! Lake Huron was a little too rough to really get after it, so I only ran it out to about 1/3 of what she was capable of. Handled the chop incredibly well, and turned on a dime if I wanted it to. Very smooth running boat, however I temped the caps on the ESC and was in the 160-degree range. I understand anything under 150 is good, so I feel I might be on the high side of things. Another thing I noticed was a ticking sound after I pulled the boat out of the water and had the canopy open. I think it's from the ESC, but I'm not for sure. I still had throttle and rudder, so I'm not sure what it was from.
All in all, I am very happy with this boat and the performance of this hull...even on 5s2p, it seems like it's going to be a ripper.

[Make-a-Wake]

The caps dont like running at 1/3 throttle. They will get scorching hot and blow eventually at minimal throttle. They actually run cooler at full throttle, so you should be good to go! Lets see some vid of full throttle runs!

[CharlieBucket]

2nd run done but this time much flatter water. Was able to get into the throttle much more, but the caps were even hotter than before...we're talking around 190*...much hotter than I want to see. Both water outlets are thru the transom, so It's much more difficult to see if I have good water flow through her. I'm looking for some suggestions on this one. 190* is way too hot for this boat. Other than the temps, I couldn't be happier with how it runs....I'd like to avoid torching this ESC, though.